THERE ARE TO BE TWO special Santa-themed boat cruises to enjoy festive fun with the Canal & River Trust this Christmas.
These at the National Waterways Museum in Ellesmere Port and the Anderton Boat Lift.
Join Santa and his elves
Families are invited to join Santa and his elves on all three December weekends and the week leading up to Christmas, as the popular tourist attractions deck their halls with holly for magical pre-Christmas treats.
At the National Waterways Museum, regular festive boat cruises will be running along the Shropshire Union Canal. Families are promised an exciting, fun-packed 45 minute trip, full of carols, games and stories, before children are shown into Santa’s magical grotto to share their own Christmas wishes and choose a special present to take home.
The full experience costs £12.50, or for £8.50 children can enjoy Santa’s Grotto Experience only. Tickets also include access to the fascinating Waterways Museum, which celebrated its 50th anniversary this year, offering a great opportunity to view historic boats and decorated dock workers’ cottages, as well as use the cafe and playground for the day.
At Anderton Boat Lift and Visitor Centre, there will be four boat trips a day, when families can enjoy favourite Christmas songs and stories as the Edwin Clark trip boat glides along the Weaver towards Northwich. Every family will have the chance to pose with Santa for photos and each child over 12 months will receive a special gift to take home.
In the festive mood
To get everyone in the festive mood, the Visitor Centre will host a range of bookable Christmas crafts and wreath-making sessions on the first three December weekends. In the week running up to Christmas, boat trips will run at 11.30am, 1.30pm and 2.30pm, and an extra treat is on offer with a special 9.30am Breakfast Cruise. Breakfast tickets are available for £20 each, or for the cruise only, tickets costs £10 (adult)/£15 (child).
Jannette Warrener, Canal & River Trust national destinations and attractions manager, explained:
“Christmas is a magical time across all our attractions, when the stories of our waterways heritage come to life in our historic museum and iconic boat lift. From period decorations and to much-loved family traditions, our brilliant teams of elves go all out to create unforgettable experiences in settings full of character and history. It's the perfect way for families to start their Christmas celebrations and make memories they'll treasure for years to come.”
Book tickets
To book tickets for the Ellesmere Port National Waterways Museum Festive Boat Trip, Santa’s Grotto Experience and treasure trail on December 5,6,12,13,19-24, please go to
Festive Boat Trips & Santa’s Grotto Experience | Canal & River Trust
To reserve a seat on the Santa Cruise at the Anderton Boat Lift Visitor Centre, near Northwich, on December 19,20,21,23,24, or book a place for December weekend Christmas crafts, such as wreath and card making-making, please follow the link: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/things-to-do/museums-and-attractions/anderton-boat-lift-and-visitor-centre-cheshire/events